France in the year 1380. The King has died. There is a political shift as a new king takes the throne. This political backdrop for the story. We get introduced to Jean de Carrouges, a squire, looking to better his position and obtain more land. At every turn he gets denied. Causing him to make enemies. One in particular, another squire, Jacques Legris. They were once friends but Legris has been granted the land Carrouges wanted and now is a favorite to their lord. Carrouges who will not go down without a fight, will do anything in his power to get this land. He marries the beautiful and young Marguerite Thibouville. This marriage is both good and bad. Her family is wealthy but her father was a known traitor which causes Carrouges to become more segregated from the court.

Carrouges goes to war. He comes back knighted for his services and once again attempts to regain the land he feels entitled to and also causing more tension between him and Legris. While he is gone, Legris pays a visit to Carrouges home, corners Marguerite, ties her up and brutally rapes her. He threatens her to keep quiet. Marguerite has a choice, most would keep quiet but she chooses to tell her husband despite that it could be the downfall for both of them. Carrouges is obviously enraged of what his wife tells him and vows justice. The case is brought before the king. Duels are becoming more rare. However, due to the circumstances, a knight vs a squire, both well-known at court, a lady who is the chief witness, the king defers to Parliament who orders the duel.

If Carrouges is succesful, justice is served. However, if not and Legris is the winner, Marguerite would be burned at the stake for making a false accusation of rape. So this trial is to determine if she get justice or dies. After a grueling duel, to the death, Carrouges is declared the winner and justice is served. It is also the duel to end all legal duels in France.

This is by far one of the best historical nonfiction that I have ever read. It is a true story about a brutal crime and scandal. The fact that innocence is proved based on who lives or dies in the duel shows how far we come. But is also shows how we still view victims of sexual assault. Marguerite had to risk being burnt at the stake in order to see justice. Today, victims are shamed, bullied and not believed. She was the hero in this story. This true story. I think Jager did a fantastic job presenting the history, presenting the story and presenting the culture in Medieval France. 5/5. Definitely recommend.